Hard surface cleaning system and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A carbon residue cleaning system comprising a cleaning solution provided in a container. The cleaning solution is disposable into a chamber of a smoking paraphernalia to clean a surface therein. The system includes a first cap and a second cap configured to removably engage with the smoking paraphernalia to hermetically seal the chamber and retain the cleaning solution therein.

FIELD

The embodiments presented herein relate to a cleaning solution for use with smoking paraphernalia and methods of use thereof.

BACKGROUND

Organic materials are often combusted and ingested using pipes, water pipes, or similar items. These accessories are often made of blown glass, ceramic, metal, plastic, and other suitable materials which can withstand high heat needed for proper combustion throughout repeated uses. The user inhales through a mouthpiece forming an opening into a chamber which collects smoke and airborne materials burned in a bowl.

Over time, an organic residue forms on the inner surface of the smoking accessory. The residue may contain cannabis, tobacco, or herbs that have been burned and ingested. Often, the residue is too thick to be cleaned with dish soap or other common household cleaners. Pipes and similar accessories may also contain various percolating or artistic formations within the interior of the chamber.

Many smoking paraphernalia cleaners currently available include toxic ingredients which may be harmful if contacted or ingested. Furthermore, many cleaners require soak times exceeding 30 minutes in addition to scrubbing, causing an inconvenience to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein provide for a carbon residue cleaning system comprising a cleaning solution provided in a container. The cleaning solution is disposable into a chamber of smoking paraphernalia to clean a surface therein. The system includes a first cap and a second cap configured to removably engage with the smoking paraphernalia to hermetically seal the chamber and retain the cleaning solution therein.

In one aspect, the first cap is hermetically sealed with a mouthpiece of the smoking paraphernalia and the second cap is hermetically sealed with a stem portion of the smoking paraphernalia.

In one aspect, the second cap encapsulates a down-stem and a bowl while hermetically sealed with the stem portion to sufficiently clean the down-stem and the bowl.

In one aspect, a cleaning element is comprised of an extension and a plurality of bristles to dislodge the carbon residue during cleaning.

In another aspect, the container includes a removable spout to facilitate the flow of liquid from the container to a chamber of the smoking paraphernalia.

To sufficiently clean the smoking paraphernalia using the embodiments described herein, a user first opens the container and pours a sufficient amount of cleaning solution into the chamber. The chamber is then hermetically sealed using the first and second caps and agitated to allow the cleaning solution to contact the carbon residue within the chamber. Once the carbon residue is dissolved in the cleaning solution, the first and second caps are removed, and the cleaning solution is drained.

In one aspect, the first cap is comprised of a first central portion and a second central portion extending between a circumferential flange portion and a bottom flange. Similarly, the second cap is comprised of a third central portion and a fourth central portion extending between a second circumferential flange portion and a second bottom flange.

In one aspect, the first cap includes an unstretched configuration having a diameter less than the diameter of the mouthpiece. The first cap further includes a stretched configuration to hermetically seal the first cap to the mouthpiece. The second cap includes an unstretched configuration having a diameter less than the diameter of the stem portion. The second cap may also include a stretched configuration to hermetically seal the second cap to the stem portion.

In one aspect, the first cap has a larger diameter than the second cap. A plurality of caps of various diameters may be provided with the cleaning solution as a set or kit.

In one aspect, the stretched configuration of the second cap encapsulates a down-stem and a bowl while hermetically sealed with the stem portion to sufficiently clean the down-stem and the bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by references to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of the carbon residue cleaning system engaged with smoking paraphernalia, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of the caps, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the cleaning solution container, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the cleaning element, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation or inferences are to be understood therefrom.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the system. Accordingly, the system and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

Specific quantities, dimensions, spatial characteristics, compositional characteristics and performance characteristics may be used explicitly or implicitly herein, but such specific quantities are presented as examples only and are approximate values unless otherwise indicated. Discussions and depictions pertaining to these, if present, are presented as examples only and do not limit the applicability of other characteristics unless otherwise indicated.

The embodiments provided herein relate to a cleaning solution which may be used to efficiently and thoroughly clean smoking paraphernalia which is used to consume various plant-based (organic) materials. The smoking paraphernalia may be made of glass, ceramic, plastic, metal, composites, or other suitable material.

The cleaning solution is provided within a container during the production process. The container includes a removable closure to seal the cleaning solution therein to provide a lengthened shelf life to the cleaning solution. Further, the cleaning solution is provided with a closure system configured to releasably engage with the mouthpiece(s), bowl(s), or other apertures of the smoking paraphernalia to form a hermetic seal between the closure and the smoking paraphernalia exterior.

The cleaning solution may be provided as a water-in-oil emulsion comprised of a sufficient base in de-ionized (DI) water, a hydrophobic solvent, an emulsifying agent, a surfactant, and a rheological agent.

A sufficient base may include ammonia, amines, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof. One skilled in the arts will understand that other suitable bases or combinations of suitable bases which are capable of cleaning oil-based debris or stain may be used.

The hydrophobic solvents suitable in dissolving or cleaning oil-based debris and stains may be used. In various examples, the hydrophobic solvent can include dimethyl adipate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl succinate, petanedioic acid, 2-methyl-, 1,5-dimethyl ester, dibasic acid esters of the formula CH3COO—(CH2)n—COOCH3, where n is a number from 1-7, and tripropylene glycol methyl ether. These solvents may be present, either alone or in combination, in an amount of from about 10-90 (w/w) of the composition. Additional solvents may include dipropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, and propylene glycol methyl ether acetate at various percentages of the cleaning solution. One skilled in the arts will appreciate that additional solvents may be utilized including monobasic esters and D-Limonene.

Rheological agents may be added to the cleaning solution to provide enhanced viscosity so that the formulation remains in place on uneven surfaces for a prolonged period so that particles and stains may react for a longer period of time with the cleaning solution. While many rheological agents may be used, certain rheological agents may be more readily amenable to the present cleaning solution. For example, cellulose may be used as a rheological agent, as could xanthan gum or other known emulsifiers. The rheological agents may also include fumed silicas, siloxane treated fumed silicas, either alone or in combination.

The stability of the cleaning solution is enhanced when emulsifiers are used. Any emulsifier known in the arts may be used to create the oil-in-water emulsion. Further, one skilled in the arts will readily understand that various adjuvants and additives may be added to enhance favorable characteristics of the cleaning solution including color, scent, and ability to clean organic materials.

FIG. 1 illustrates the hard surface cleaning system 10 formulated and provided to clean organic residue such as the residues commonly found on the surfaces of smoking paraphernalia 100 (illustrated in the current embodiment as a water pipe). The smoking paraphernalia 100 includes a top portion 105 configured as an elongated cylinder integrally molded to a bottom portion 110 configured to hold a liquid. The interior space forms a chamber 115 wherein fluids and gasses are transmitted and/or retained both during use and during cleaning. The end of the top portion 105 is comprised of a mouthpiece 120 which forms an aperture permitting the user to inhale through a second aperture 125 at the end of a stem portion 130 positioned to protrude from the bottom portion 110.

In some embodiments, the smoking paraphernalia 100 can include a down-stem 135 configured to retain a bowl (not shown) at the end of the stem portion 100. The bowl typically holds organic material which is combusted.

In further reference to FIG. 1, a first cap 140 is positioned over the mouthpiece 120 to form a hermetic seal with the exterior surface 145 of the top portion 105. The first cap 140 is comprised of an upper surface 150 which may include a circumferential flange portion 155. The flange portion 155 aid the gripping of the first cap 140 by the user during engagement and removal. A bottom flange 160 forms the circumference at the bottom 165 which is constructed having an opening to hermetically engage with the exterior surface 145. First and second central portions 170,175 extend between the circumferential flange portion 155 and the bottom flange 160.

In some embodiments, the first and second central portions 170,175 may be collapsible such that height hi can be selectively increased or decreased. A second cap 180 is positioned over the stem portion 130 opening 125. The second cap 180 is comprised of a second upper surface 185 which may include a second circumferential flange portion 190. A second bottom flange 195 forms the circumference at the bottom which is constructed having an opening to hermetically engage with the exterior surface of the stem portion 130. Third and fourth central portions 200,205 extend between the second circumferential flange portion 185 and the second bottom flange 195.

In some embodiments, the first cap 140 and second aperture 125 thereof to form a hermetic seal with the exterior surface of the stem portion 130.

The first cap 140 and the second cap 180 each hermetically seal the respective openings at the mouthpiece 120 and stem portion 130 resulting in a hermetically sealed chamber 115. Prior to engaging the first cap 140 and the second cap 180 as illustrated in FIG. 1, a cleaning solution 210 is provided within the chamber 115 to contact and clean the interior surfaces of the chamber 115.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cap set 215 of various sizes. Each cap of the set (which may include the first cap 140 and second cap 180 or various additional sizes) is constructed of a sufficiently flexible material to permit stretching of the cap over the openings to form a hermetic seal with the smoking paraphernalia such that the cleaning solution is retained within the chamber even while shaking or agitating is performed during the cleaning process. Preferentially, the caps are constructed of a plastic, composite, or similar flexible or semi-flexible material. In the illustrated example, the first cap 140 has an unstretched diameter of d₁ and a stretched diameter of d₂ while the second cap 180 has an unstretched diameter of d₃ and a stretched diameter of d₄.

In some embodiments, the diameter d₁ of the cap is smaller at an unstretched configuration than the diameter of the respective opening. For this reason, the caps are provided in a sized set to allow for the user to select appropriate caps having dimensions that are suitable for the particular smoking paraphernalia 100 to be cleaned. The hermetic seal is formed by force imparted onto the exterior surface of the smoking paraphernalia 100 by the cap 140,180. The force may be imparted any component of the cap 140,180 but may be strongest at the first and second bottom flanges 160,195 respectively. The thickness of each cap 140,180 is such that the user can easily stretch the cap over the opening without requiring large amounts of strength.

FIG. 3 illustrates the container 300 wherein the cleaning solution as described hereinabove is provided to the user. The container 300 is sealed at each edge to adequately retain the cleaning solution liquid within the cavity defined by the flexible sidewalls of the container 300. The upper portion 310 may include a seam to indicate where the container should be cut to release the cleaning solution. The seam may be perforated to permit tearing and forgo the need for tools or may include an indicator such as ink printed line to illustrate where a cutting element should be utilized. In some embodiments, a spout 340 is engaged with a removable closure 350 is retained by a retaining element 360. The closure 350 and retaining element 360 may be a threaded engagement or similar water-tight attachment. The closure 350 seals an opening 370 configured to dispense the liquid into the smoking paraphernalia 100 chamber 115 prior to cleaning. The spout 340 may be preferentially dimensioned to facilitate the flow of the cleaning solution into the chamber 115 and prevent spillage.

One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the embodiments are not limited to the illustrated container 300 and may include similar liquid containers known in the arts.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cleaning element 400 to aid in the cleaning of the hard surface. The cleaning element can be provided as a brush with an extension 410 and bristles 420 to extend into the chamber of the smoking paraphernalia and contact hard-to-reach surfaces therein. The bristles 420 aid in dislodging the deposit of organic material which is stuck to the surface of the chamber.

In some embodiments, the cleaning system can include caps which function as plugs for the apertures of the smoking paraphernalia. During cleaning, the plugs are inserted into the apertures of the smoking paraphernalia and form a hermetic seal with the interior surface. The plugs can be of similar configuration to the caps to permit the user to selectively utilize in either configuration.

One skilled in the arts will appreciate that the smoking paraphernalia can include any smoking paraphernalia known in the arts. The flexible caps may be provided in various sizes and configured to form a hermetic seal with the smoking paraphernalia to retain the cleaning solution therein. Further, the illustrated configuration which includes stem and down-stem components may instead be stemless.

In some embodiments, the cleaning solution and/or the smoking paraphernalia may be heated prior to use to increase the solubility of the residue with the cleaning solution.

During use, the user performs the steps of first opening the container and pouring a sufficient amount of cleaning solution into the chamber. The amount needed is a suitable volume of cleaning solution to dissolve the organic residues on the interior of the smoking paraphernalia. The chamber of the smoking paraphernalia is then hermetically sealed by positioning the first and second caps as shown and described herein. The smoking paraphernalia is then agitated and allowed to contact the residue for a suitable period of time, such as between five and ten minutes. Once the residue has been dissolved by the cleaning solution, the first and second caps are removed from the smoking paraphernalia and the cleaning solution is drained from the chamber.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can he combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A carbon residue cleaning system comprising: a. a cleaning solution provided in a container, the cleaning solution is disposable into a chamber of a smoking paraphernalia to clean a surface therein; b. a first cap and a second cap configured to removably engage with the smoking paraphernalia to hermetically seal the chamber.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cap is hermetically sealed with a mouthpiece of the smoking paraphernalia.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second cap is hermetically sealed with a stem portion of the smoking paraphernalia.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second cap encapsulates a down-stem and a bowl while hermetically sealed with the stem portion to sufficiently clean the down-stem and the bowl.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cleaning element comprised of an extension and a plurality of bristles to dislodge the carbon residue during cleaning.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cap and second cap are used to retain water within the smoking paraphernalia during transportation.
 7. A carbon residue cleaning system comprising: a. a first cap configured to hermetically engage a mouthpiece of a smoking paraphernalia; b. a second cap configured to hermetically engage a bowl of the smoking paraphernalia; c. a cleaning solution provided within a container having a closure, the container including a removable spout to facilitate the flow of liquid from the container to a chamber of the smoking paraphernalia; d. a user performing the steps of: i. opening the container; ii. pouring a sufficient amount of cleaning solution into the chamber; iii. hermetically sealing the chamber via the first and second caps; iv. agitating the smoking paraphernalia to contact the cleaning solution with the residue for a suitable period of time; v. removing the first and second caps from the smoking paraphernalia; and vi. draining the cleaning solution.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first cap is comprised of a first central portion and a second central portion extending between a circumferential flange portion and a bottom flange.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second cap is comprised of a third central portion and a fourth central portion extending between a second circumferential flange portion and a second bottom flange.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first cap includes an unstretched configuration having a diameter less than the diameter of the mouthpiece, the first cap further including a stretched configuration to hermetically seal the first cap to the mouthpiece.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second cap includes an unstretched configuration having a diameter less than the diameter of the stem portion, the second cap further including a stretched configuration to hermetically seal the second cap to the stem portion.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first cap has a larger diameter than the second cap.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein a plurality of caps of various diameters are provided with the cleaning solution as a set or kit.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the stretched configuration of the second cap encapsulates a down-stem and a bowl while hermetically sealed with the stem portion to sufficiently clean the down-stem and the bowl.
 15. The system of claim 7, further comprising a cleaning element comprised of an extension and a plurality of bristles to dislodge the carbon residue during cleaning.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the user performs the step of manually cleaning, via the cleaning element, the interior surface of the chamber following the step of removing the first and second caps from the smoking paraphernalia and before the step of draining the cleaning solution.
 17. The system of claim 7, wherein the cleaning solution is an oil-in-water emulsion.
 18. The system of claim 7, wherein the first cap and the second cap are used to prevent spillage of water within the chamber of the smoking paraphernalia during transportation.
 19. A method for removing carbon residue from smoking paraphernalia, the method comprising a user performing the steps of: a. opening a container; b. pouring a sufficient amount of an oil-in-water emulsion cleaning solution into a chamber of a smoking paraphernalia; c. hermetically sealing the chamber via a first cap and a second cap to retain the oil-in-water cleaning solution within the chamber, the first cap configured to hermetically engage a mouthpiece of a smoking paraphernalia, the second cap configured to hermetically seal a stem portion of the smoking paraphernalia; d. agitating the smoking paraphernalia to contact the cleaning solution with the residue for a suitable period of time; e. removing the first and second caps from the smoking paraphernalia; f. utilizing a cleaning element to dislodge the carbon residue from a surface of the chamber; and g. draining the cleaning solution.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein oil-in-water emulsion cleaning solution is sufficiently heated to increase the solubility of the carbon residue. 